Joshua, Judges, Ruth (Understanding the Bible Commentary | UBC)
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Joshua, Judges, and Ruth tell the history of Israel’s early, premonarchical life in Canaan. Their narratives mix exhilarating stories of God’s deliverance and somber examples of the people’s disobedience. They also include elements that are strange to modern readers. The commentators explore the history and culture of the era to explain the difficult issues raised and relate the lessons to contemporary Christian life.
Top Highlights
“God’s grace. God’s amazing grace is demonstrated as time and again he forgives and helps and restores the nation” (Page 133)
“Again, depending on frail human wisdom, the leaders violate their rules of possessing the land” (Page 62)
“After all, he acknowledged that the Lord was responsible for his victory; and a whole burnt offering was no small gift, inexpensive as it was. But how pious was Jephthah’s vow? Would not the gift of the Holy Spirit have been sufficient to assure him of victory? Rather than go in the strength he had (Judg. 6:14), Jephthah preferred to strike a deal with the Lord, to manipulate him in order to guarantee success.” (Pages 227–228)
“Whether she likes it or not, she has a different life now, a harder life. Granting permission to Ruth to glean alongside the rest of the institutionalized poor is the point where Naomi hits rock bottom.” (Page 328)
“The Hebrew reverses the word order to emphasize that God is near: ‘Because with you is the Lord your God” (Page 19)
Cheryl A. Brown is an ordained American Baptist minister, and she is currently involved in theological education in Eastern Europe and the Middle East with the European Baptist Federation.
J. Gordon Harris is professor of Old Testament and director of doctoral studies at North American Baptist Seminary. He is also a chaplain in the Army Reserves and National Guard.
Michael S. Moore is assistant professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Arizona and is a preaching minister at the Tatum Boulevard Church of Christ in Phoenix.